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Find out what cataracts are, what causes them and what can be done to improve vision if you have cataracts. Get more information about cataracts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart program. http://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts

Cataracts are when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy. This happens to most people as a natural part of aging. Cataracts can also be caused by injuries, certain medications or genetics. When the lens gets cloudy, it can scatter light and make your vision blurry. To learn more about cataracts, eye health and how to take care of your vision, visit EyeSmart, from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts Mire en español: https://youtu.be/UC74Bw2KpKE

In the healthy eye, the lens is clear and allows light rays to pass through unobstructed. As a cataract forms, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. As light passes through this cloudy lens, it is no longer clearly focused on the retina, causing images to appear hazy or blurred. Learn more at http://www.geteyesmart.org.

With cataract surgery, a small incision is made in the eye. The front of the outer covering of the lens is opened and the cataract is broken up and vacuumed out. A folded lens implant is inserted into the capsule where it unfolds and permanently takes the place of the clouded natural lens. Learn more at https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery

Like your eye's natural lens, an IOL helps you see by focusing the light that comes through the cornea and pupil, focusing the light onto the retina. The retina converts the light rays into signals that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as the images we see. Learn more at http://www.geteyesmart.org.

There are many things that affect who should have cataract surgery, when that surgery should be and what kind of replacement lens should be used. Get more information about cataract surgery and IOLs from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart program. http://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery

It is common for there to be some change in depth perception after cataract surgery—especially in the time after the first eye is operated on and before the second one is done. The greater the difference in vision between the two eyes, the more likely it is that you’ll notice a change in depth perception. G. Atma Vemulakonda, MD, discusses some of the possible outcomes of cataract surgery. For more information about eyes and eye health, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart website: https://www.aao.org/eye-health

Monofocal IOLs provide good vision at one focal distance. With a monofocal IOL set for distance, you will need reading glasses for close-up vision. If you choose a monofocal IOL set for near vision, allowing you to read without glasses, then you will need glasses to see clearly in the distance. Learn more at http://www.geteyesmart.org.

A multifocal lens has rings in it that give clear vision at different distances. This allows many people ot be less dependent on reading glasses for near work. This is one of many different kinds of intraocular lenses that can be implanted as part of cataract surgery or when the natural lens has to be replaced for any reason. To learn more about IOLs, cataract surgery or any other eye health topics, visit EyeSmart, from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-iol-implants Mire en español: https://youtu.be/DVWaX7RzkIM